Sinkhole Forms Outside Katz’s Deli

Locals and tourists heading to Katz’s Deli for lunch today may find an unexpected obstacle between them and their pastrami sandwich. A 55-year-old water main burst this morning, flooding the street and creating a 20-foot sinkhole just outside the Houston St. eatery, the New York Daily Newsreports.

The city’s Department of Environmental Protection quickly shut off the main, which left five businesses — including Katz’s — and eight residential buildings without water, officials said.

The 125-year-old deli, however, remains open amidst the chaos and clean-up crews. “We’re open, but we’re using bottled water, not tap water,” an employee said.

It’s not surprising—Katz’s stayed open in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, serving up sandwiches by candlelight and feeding stranded New Yorkers with the help of a generator.